The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

“Are you really sure you’re not coming with me? I can wait for you.”

I smiled at my husband and continued tying his tie. After making a knot and pulling the hem of the tie down, I looked at his face and tiptoed to give him a kiss.

“I want to but it’s not possible. I need to talk to the owner of the land I will buy today. Though I really wanted to see how you slay in that meeting, the circumstances are not really letting me.” I fixed his coat and gave it one more look. “You should go now. You might get late.”

Instead of saying goodbye, Cholo grabbed me by the waist and hugged me. He rested his chin on my shoulder and nuzzled his nose against my neck. I combed his hair and closed my eyes. I need to remember his smell because it might be the last time we will be this close to each other.

“It’s like I really want to go to the meeting. It’s not that important. Whether I will attend or not, it’s still a closed deal after all. I’ll just accompany you on your way and then we’ll go cruising the rest of the day. What do you think, wife?”

He jokingly bit my neck and grabbed my ass. I pinched his side causing him to flinch and move away from me a little. I waved at him and raised my eyebrows.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Mr. Gastrell, I never knew you could be this unprofessional. Remember, it’s the future of your company, your wife and your children that’s at stake here. Also, it would be better for your cousin if you attended that meeting. I heard that a known political family will be there. You know, maybe the future mayor of our city will not only come from your family. Maybe we can also have the future president from here.”

The happiness on his face disappeared for a moment before he forced it back. “I see that my wife is really resourceful with her information.”

My smile also faded like him and I immediately tried to put it back too. “Of course. What do you think of your wife, Cholo? I’m the most efficient woman you can meet in your lifetime.” I added a little laugh to the end of the word before approaching my husband again and adjusting his necktie again. “In order to win the war, you should be at least one step ahead with the enemy. That’s what I learned from my family.”

I looked up at my husband and stepped back but he pulled me closer and cupped my cheek to press a kiss on me. Instinctively, I gathered my arms around his neck and responded. Our tongues mated with hunger while his hands grabbed my butt.

“I should really just stay here with you,” he said huskily before pulling me back to his kisses.

When he was about to pull the strap of my nightgown, that’s when I regained the self-control that I slightly lost. I pushed him away and retreated for a while. I turned back for a moment to calm myself down and lower my body temperature which was gradually rising.

My hormones be really screaming for Cholo’s skillful maneuver in bed which I need to keep in check. My body already knows the warmth of my husband. Just one fire and I’ll be on fire too. I can’t possibly be a slave to his body again. Not when I know this will just be a temporary thing. I don’t want the time to come when I become too dependent on him again.

“You really need to go now. A good CEO should be a good example to his employees,” I told him when I managed to control myself and face him.

Cholo just threw me a downcast look before gently tugging me forward and enveloping me back to his embrace. I breathed in his scent and let myself be drowned again in his inviting warmth.

“This will just be a quick one. I will be right back here for you. Please don’t turn off your phone. I almost went crazy looking for you the other day because you weren’t answering your calls.”

I sighed and reminded myself never to get too used to being like this and hearing these words from him.

“Sorry again. My phone just ran out of battery and I got so busy with my business that day. Will you forgive me? Hmm?”

His arms got tighter around me and I heard him sigh in the air.

“You know I will always forgive you no matter what you do. Just… Just tell me why, Karina. I will always hear your side and be at your side no matter what happens.”

His words have meaning. That’s what I’m sure of. Has he noticed the way I’ve been avoiding him these past few days whenever he tries to talk to me?

“Oh yes. I will remember that.” I let go of his embrace and gently pushed him out the door of our room. “Go now. I’ll just call you later when I’m done with my business, okay?”

Cholo just nodded while searching for something in my face. Without perhaps seeing what he was looking for, he kissed my forehead and hair before smiling at me.

“I love you, wife,” his eyes were pale as he said those words when he’s down the stairs.

I waved at him and answered with a smile that immediately disappeared when he disappeared from my sight.

When I heard the engines ramming and the speeding away of the car, I immediately reverted back to the initial plan. I quickly got ready and left the house. I drove to the exit of the subdivision and got into the van waiting where Vishen and Celeste were already inside waiting for me.

We drove without direction for another couple of minutes just to buy time before changing into another car in the middle of the road.

“Vishen, did you already do what I instructed you to do?”

“Yes, Miss Karina. All are already in place.”

Impressed, I leaned back to my seat and crossed my legs in anticipation of what’s about to come, a sly grin playing on my lips.

“Good. You earned yourself a bonus.”

Cholo’s car and mine arrived side by side outside the hotel owned by Maverick in Cerro Roca. I can still see Elizabeth welcoming him and hooking her hand on my husband’s arm but Cholo whis it away. I waited for another minute before entering the exit door and occupying the room next to the convention area where the meeting will be held.

Vishen opened the monitoring television in front. The room filled with people appeared where their conversations were already starting. Present are Cholo, Elizabeth, Ymir, Secretary Benito, the youngest governor in the country and the rest of the stakeholders of the project. Celeste poured me a glass of wine and served me fruits. I took out my cell phone and slowly sat on the recliner seat while typing a number to call.

“Hello, Ely,” I said and popped some grapes into my mouth.

The woman did not speak but I can hear her fear just by hearing her breathing. I looked at the monitor and smiled when I saw that she was restless in the chair.

“Take it easy, will you? Breathe in, breathe out. Listen, I will not go into much details. I just wanted you to do something for me. Now open your laptop,” I ordered her before reaching for the glass and drinking from it.

“Sorry but I’m so busy talking about other business right now. Thank you.”

“Oops! I think you should think twice before hanging up on me. Elizabeth, have you forgotten what I am capable of doing to you? Did you already forget that I know your pretty little nasty secret? What if I call Cholo right now and inform him of your crime?”

I heard her take a breath. “If it is that important then I’m listening.”

“Good girl! Now open your laptop and don’t put down your phone.”

I saw Ymir stand up and come forward to speak. Elizabeth followed me and opened the laptop and gasped in shock.

“Yeah, I know Ely. The pictures are quite shocking but what can I do? You proudly did them so no shame intended.” I put the glass down on the next table and crossed my legs. “What I wanted for you to do is this. Tell the people in there that the owner of the land you’re trying to get did not sign the deed of sale. You took care of all that so they will definitely believe you. If how, well, that will be your strategy. Show me how brilliant you are. If you don’t follow me, I will send all these files you’re seeing in your laptop to all the stakeholders of the project. I will send it to the media and make a chaos out of it. It will surely destroy the long damaged reputation of your family. All your secrets will be revealed. And most of all, Cholo and your brother will be hurt because they will not get the project they have dreamed of and worked for for years. The current administration is too allergic to scandals, Ely.”

“I thought he was the reason for all of this. Why are you sacrificing him now?”

I drained the entire cup and placed it face down on the table.

“Don’t be too simple minded, Ely. Now do what I told you to do.”

She glanced for a moment at his brother who was still standing and talking to the shareholders. I just grinned when I read the desperation in her eyes.

“Don’t bother asking for your brother’s help or any of your family members. What do you think is the reason why I’m still alive today? It’s because your brother cannot make an enemy out of Cholo especially now that my husband is warming up on me. Power, wealth, and influence, Ely. Being the wife of Cholo made me an equal to an Asturia. Now, no matter how much I want to prolong it because I’m really happy to hear your trembling voice, I’m afraid I have to cut off our friendly conversation. Tell them now the big news, Ely.”

I relaxed to the backrest and patiently waited for her decision. Her face was full of different emotions and it was just so funny to watch her helplessness in the situation. It’s just so satisfying to see how an old money like her loses her wits. In the end, she shut up and clenched her fists and started speaking.

“E-Excuse my interruption but I think we have a problem,” she began shakily.

Everyone looked in her direction. Amused, I waited for what she would say next to solve the situation.

“Go on, Elizabeth,” Ymir acknowledged her.

Elizabeth stood up and took a deep breath. “I know it’s not really the news you wanted to hear but… I wanted to inform you that the owner of the land changed his mind. He doesn’t want to sell it to us anymore.”

I chuckled at her reason. Oh, this would be so interesting to watch. There was a silence first before a series of disappointed and angry sentiments followed. My eyes focused on Cholo, who was quietly on the side, his hands were folded on the table. He doesn’t even look a bit bothered by the news.

“We thought the signing was over? Mr. Gastrell, Mr. Asturia, I thought everything was already ironed? What is this new problem now?” a man next to Secretary Benito spoke aghast by the downward development.

“I think you owe us an explanation, especially you, Ms. Asturia,” said the governor.

“Gentlemen, I believe it’s just a matter of miscommunication,” Ymir stepped in for his sister. “I am positive that we will resolve it as soon as possible. Now, can we all return to the discussion?”

“Mr. Asturia is right,” Cholo said dismissing the other statements about the matter. “We will handle it legally. Now may we go back to the presentation?”

Everyone also agreed with what he said and went back to listening. I leaned back and stared at my husband in awe. He sure knows how to handle pressure. Silly me. I almost forgot who Cholo is.

“Thank you, Ely. Consider it your initiation, dear.”

I turned off the cellphone and stood up. Celeste’s robbed a glance at me with a surprise look on her face.

“What’s the look for, Celeste? I didn’t impress you today? Well, it’s just their first taste. I need to shake them a little now. Sweet taste. You can call it a foreshock before an earthquake, a foreplay before sex , a prelude of anything.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Karina,” she apologized in her bowed head.

“There’s no reason for you to ask for forgiveness. I’ll just make sure to do better next time.” I turned to Vishen. “You take care of everything. No trace in everything. I did not come here today, okay?”

He bowed and answered. “Yes, Ms. Karina.”

I glanced at the monitor to take a look at Cholo who is now in his restless self. No matter how he hides it, I know that he is equally as problematic as anyone in the room. The possibility of his decade-long dreams disappearing in an instant is not just a possibility. It can be his reality now.

I looked away with blank eyes and walked out the door. My chest is heavy with emotion that I shouldn’t be feeling anymore.

There’s no point dwelling on these feelings if I know that I will just need to leave them behind together with the man I have come to love again.